In brief
As the U.N. climate summit unfolds in Baku, Lydia Kiesling's novel “Mobility” provides a satirical exploration of the intersection of oil, diplomacy, and climate change.
The annual United Nations climate change conference has found itself in an ironic setting this year: Baku, Azerbaijan, renowned as the birthplace of the modern oil industry. As delegates gather in a nation heavily reliant on petroleum, they do so in the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential election, which saw the election of Donald J. Trump. His administration's platform prioritizes fossil fuel production and signals intentions to withdraw from global climate commitments, generating a unique tension at the summit.To navigate the surreal atmosphere of the conference, Lydia Kiesling's 2023 novel “Mobility” emerges as a fitting commentary. The narrative centers on Bunny Glenn, the protagonist who navigates her life in Baku, marked by both personal growth and the haunting specter of climate consequences. Bunny's journey, which oscillates between her childhood in a diplomatic family during the '90s and a controversial role in the Trump administration with oil powerhouse BP, serves as a satirical representation of the very complexities the summit grapples with.In a recent conversation, Kiesling shared her motivations for choosing Baku as her backdrop. "My father served in the Foreign Service, and we were stationed in Yerevan, Armenia, during the late '90s," she recounted. "The disparities between countries in the region, particularly the wealth pouring into Baku from oil, fascinated me. While Armenia struggled, Baku thrived under the weight of its natural resources, drawing a plethora of foreign interests."The summit thus unfolds against the backdrop of a diverse array of experiences, as nations confront their roles in the global climate crisis. Kiesling's narrative probes the challenges and absurdities entwined within this dialogue, as it reflects both past and present dilemmas regarding climate diplomacy.
